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If Mehsud was killed, it means that U.S. cooperation with Pakistan is "having a good effect and that we're moving in the right direction," Jones said. "Mehsud was a very bad individual, a real thug responsible for a lot of violence, a lot of innocent people losing their lives."

A top Pakistani official said the government has information that a leading candidate to replace Mehsud was killed in a gunfire exchange Saturday between supporters of senior Taliban leaders.

Jones said the United States does not know if that is accurate.

But, he added, "if there is dissension within the ranks ... this is a positive indication that in Pakistan things are turning for the better."